Kathmandu, June 21

Two Nepali cricketers Sandeep Lamichhane and Sompal Kami have been picked up for the Global T20 Canada in yesterday’s draft.

Lamichhane, who has earned the status of globe-trotting cricketer since being bought by Delhi Daredevils in 2018 season of Indian Premier League, was drafted in by Toronto Nationals for the base price of $60,000, while Kami was picked up by Winnipeg Hawks for $3,000.

Kami was excited for the maiden opportunity in international stage outside the national team. “I am extremely happy as it’s like a dream come true for me,” said Kami at a press meet today. “This will be a new experience for me as I will be sharing the dressing room with the players whom I had been watching on television and I am hoping to learn a lot from them,” he added.

Kami said making it to the national team was the first dream and that he started watching the franchise-based leagues across the globe. “We got a lot of successes with the national team and I started dreaming about international leagues with IPL being the top priority. I had not thought of getting the opportunity so early but now that I am drafted in by the Hawks, I will put in my best efforts if give the chance,” said Kami.

The 24-year-old Kami thanked fellow national team member Lamichhane and Manager Raman Shiwakoti for helping him in getting the opportunity. “It would not have been possible without their help and support,” said Kami.

“Everyone in the family is happy but for my father IPL is the biggest of the league and I hope to play in India one day to fulfill his dreams,” added Kami, who has been the key member of the national team for the last five years.

Kami also holds the world record for the most runs by a No 10 batsman — 40 runs against Hong Kong in the Twenty20 International match in Sri Lanka in 2014. Kami has taken 13 wickets in six One Day International matches and 17 wickets

in T20Is apart from 65 scalps in 43 List A matches. He is also the first Nepali bowler to take five-wicket haul in ODIs.

Lamichhane expressed his happiness for the selection of Kami in the Global T20. “I always wanted more players from Nepal to break into international leagues and we will keep on pushing for others as well,” said Lamichhane. “There are a lot of talented players in Nepal and we should keep on trying as opportunity does not come easily,” he added.

Lamichhane said he was not behind the selection of Kami and that he made it because of his talents. “He got picked up just because of his talent,” clarified Lamichhane, who along with his manager Shiwakoti helped Kami in getting agent and other stuffs.